First Picture is Scott's Sister in Law, his Brother, his dad, his mom at Dan's "coffee and Cake"

Second Picture is Dan getting ready to blow out the candles for coffee and cake

Third is the cake I made for his actual birthday.

I know it has been a long time since my last post. I just haven't had much to say. Since my last post, Daniel had a birthday and so did I. I must admit Daniel had a nice cake both on his birthday and for "coffee and cake" day with his grandparents and aunt and uncle. We don't do the lavish parties that most of the kids have, we keep it simple and let the kids enjoy spending time with their relatives. I know that my daughter would love to have a "make over" party or a pony ride party or something like that, well, nope. We just don't have the means or the patience to have 20 or so screaching kids out or at our home. When I worked, we had the extra cash to take a few of the boys' friends to the movies, or to have a jungle gym party, but we just don't have it anymore, and personally, I think that the kids appreciate their gifts more. Daniel got a cell phone from us, added to the family plan that we already have. It is important to have this for him, not onlyis it a status symbol, but he can call either one of us to check in wherever he may be, and if he needs a ride home early from a practice, we are a phone call away. Patrick got his cell phone when he was thriteen, and has been responsible with it. We blocked texting, the internet and such on both of the boys' phones, because essentially it is a tool to get in touch with us, no need for them to develop carpal tunnel syndrome because their little fingers are spelling vowel less words, or symbols that mean something unmentionalble. Necessity is the name of the game when it comes to the communication in this house.

My birthday was just a day. I spent the day doing laundry, cleaning the rug, going to baseball games and cooking dinner. Scott did buy me a "notebook" for my birthday, and that was nice. Typing on it right now, and still trying to figure it all out.

THis past week, Scott was away for training again, for his union. He went to West Virginia, which is an 8 hour ride from here, but shared the ride with a friend who was also taking the course he needed. I missed him a lot. The kids missed him too. Even the dog missed him. Now he is home and all is normal here. Daniel's last baseball game was yesterday, until the Spring. THat frees up our Sundays, just enough to let us finish our "punch list " with our rennovations. We have litle things to finish, trim and mouldings things like that. It is just the stuff we cannot get done without time. Football for both boys goes for another 2 weeks, but that is Saturdays, so that will be fine. I guess that is all for now, Happy Halloween to all!